Spot-on Fred celebrates in style

It was celebration time at Bramall Lane for one of United's oldest living legends.

Fred Furniss, former full back and penalty taker for the Blades, celebrated his 90th birthday at a Senior Blades lunch.

To mark the occasion the club presented him with a special United shirt - featuring the name Furniss and the number 90 on the back. The presentation was made by Senior Blades officials, chairman Brian Walton and secretary Mike Webb.

United Managing Director Dave McCarthy said: "We wanted to mark Fred's remarkable contribution to the club in front of his fellow Senior Blades on his special day."

Fred, whose contribution to the club has been immortalised at the club's Legends of the Lane venue, made his debut for United during wartime. He started his Blades career in 1941 against Everton at Goodison Park, which ended in a 3-3 draw and was played during an air raid!

He signed his first contract in 1946 when the Football League was re-established after the Second World War. In total he clocked-up 433 appearances, scoring 18 goals. He was the club's penalty taker and never missed!